Posts Tagged ‘security patch’

Calling PLUS is still relatively new for Sprint devices, with only a handful of devices currently supporting it. But with its latest update, the Sprint Galaxy Note8 has joined the Calling PLUS ranks, following the LG G6 and Galaxy S8/S8+. Also included are October security patches and a couple of other small fixes/upgrades.

The official changelog is rather sparse. It merely says: "Includes the latest Google security patches, adds Calling Plus, and includes RSSI updates." The update prompt on the phone itself, however, goes into a lot more detail, and thanks to XDA user Bachatu, we've got a screenshot.

Credit where credit is due. Verizon and Samsung are doing a good job of keeping relatively older devices updated with security patches. After upgrading the Galaxy S5 (2014) to the August security patch, they're now releasing an update to the Note 4 (also 2014) with the latest security patches that brings it to software version MMB29M.N910VVRS2CQE1.

Credit where credit is due. Verizon and Samsung are doing a good job of keeping relatively older devices updated with security patches. After upgrading the Galaxy S5 (2014) to the August security patch, they're now releasing an update to the Note 4 (also 2014) with the latest security patches that brings it to software version MMB29M.N910VVRS2CQE1.

Although Verizon's update page doesn't specifically state they're the September security patches, and we don't have a Note 4 on Verizon to verify, odds are that's what we're talking about.

We like to make fun of Samsung (and most other OEMs) for being slow to roll out new versions of Android. It's true that Google puts everyone else to shame when it comes to big updates, but Samsung has been doing much better when it comes to security updates. Case in point: the Galaxy S5 on Verizon just got a security patch more than three years after it first launched in April of 2014.

The September 2017 Android security update is here, and the bulletin contains the usual details about vulnerabilities that could be affecting various Android devices. Images and OTAs that include the September patches should protect against any possible issues, but so far they're only available for the Nexus 9 on Android 7.1.1. There are no Android 8.0 Oreo images with September patches for Pixel or Nexus devices live yet, but it shouldn't be too long before they are added.

Google began rolling out the July security updates to the Pixel family and newer Nexus devices earlier today, as is traditional for the beginning of every month. However, owners of the Pixel have found themselves unable to install the OTA, with their phones simply telling them "Couldn't update" and "Installation problem." Not to worry, though - Google is already aware of the issue, and is looking into it.

It's the first day of May, and Google is wasting no time releasing the May 2017 factory images and OTAs for Nexus and Pixel devices. Just like last month, the security update has reached the Pixel/Pixel XL, Pixel C, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 6, and Nexus 9.